The Delphi Oracle (1-4, 0-1) boys’ basketball team stuck to the basics in Saturday’s home contest against the Tri-County Cavaliers (3-3), and as result garnered their first win of the season, 62-59. “Taking care of the ball,” as Interim Coach Jeff Brooke said afterwards, along with hitting foul shots keyed their success.

The night before in the home opener against the Clinton Prairie Gophers (3-2), the Oracles managed to build 23-14 halftime lead, only to see that cushion quickly evaporate after the break. The Gophers surged ahead by 2 by the third quarter’s end, and held on to win by three, 43-40. In that contest, the Oracles had solid first half, boosted by the return of senior, Josh Mullin. Mullin, Delphi’s lone representative on last season’s All-Hoosier Conference team, had injured his knee this past summer and is now cleared to play his way into shape. None-the-less, he scored 6 of his 8 game points in the second quarter, which helped his Oracles to the 9-point lead at halftime.

But the Gophers made adjustments over the break that enabled them to get back on top. Taking the ball successfully inside on several possessions in a row to start the third, Clinton Prairie grabbed the lead for good on a long buzzer-beating trey by Jack Warwick.

In the final 8 minutes, the Oracles closed once to within a single point, but weren’t able to get back the lead.

Nick Moore was the only Delphi player in double figures with 11. Scott Brothers added 9, Justin Jargstorf chipped in 7 and Brock Zarse rounded out Oracle scoring with 5. Mullin and Kendal Ross each had 11 rebounds.

But it was turnovers… 20 in all… that took their toll and kept the Delphi crowd from celebrating until the next night. JVAction

Behind 31-15 deep into the third quarter, JV Coach Bart Hunsicker watched as his Oracles came storming back in the opener against the Gophers. Twice closing to within 1 point, Delphi’s steam ran out as Clinton Prairie retightened their grip and won, 39-34. The Oracles were led in scoring by Dustin Oliver (12) and Kyle Bender (10). Cory Barnett guided the way for CP with 15.

In a reversal of the night before, it was the Oracles (3-2) who dominated early only to see the Cav JV come back to make a game of it. Behind by 14 at the half, Tri County closed to within 3 before faltering. Oliver (16) and Bender (9) again paced the Oracles in scoring, but this time in a victory, 35-26. Varsity vs. Tri County

For the first 6:30 minutes of the varsity affair against the Cavs, it appeared that the game might be close throughout as both teams took turns with the lead. But after Brothers took a pass from Michael Myers and scored, giving the Oracles an 11-10 lead, Tri County answered with 9 straight points to end the first quarter and on top, 19-11.

In the second quarter, Delphi still had the look of a team trying to figure out how to play as a unit. Turnovers were down, but getting the ball to an open teammate was a seldom occurrence. On defense, the Oracles were a half step slow in helping out. As a result, the Cavs upped their lead to 35-25 at the break.

But something got into the home team in the second half. The intensity level was up, the extra pass to the open man was made and the Oracles avoided the turnover. It took just under 5 minutes for the Oracles to tie the game at 39 each, and it was done with teamwork.

Coach Brooke said, “Especially in the second half, we took care of the ball, we did a nice job handling the pressure and we did a great job as a team. I think we are starting to gel.”

Every Oracle on the floor played with a controlled desire in that second half. Moore and Brothers started pouring in the points (16 each for the game), as did Mullin (14) and Jargstorf (12).

But it was Zarse who put the exclamation mark on the Oracle victory with a power dunk after he rebounded Moore’s attempted slam of his own. Moore had made a clean steal and headed for the hoop but was undercut as he leapt. No foul was called so Zarse took full advantage and gave the Oracles an insurmountable 59-54 lead with but a halfminute to go.

The Oracles chopped their turnovers in half (10) from the night before and also shot well from the free throw line (15-18).

Rescheduled from earlier in the month due to snow, the Benton Central Bison (4-2, 0-1) visit Delphi this evening in a Hoosier Conference tilt. The JV get it started with a 6:30 tip.